Ukrainian President, Premier Leave on Separate Visits to Europe

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych have left for Brussels and Strasbourg, respectively, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency has said.

In Brussels, Yushchenko will discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European People’s Party leader Wilfried Martens and European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering, the agency said in a report at 0532 gmt on 17 April.

Later on 17 April, Yushchenko will leave for Cardiff, UK, where he will attend the presentation of a joint bid with Poland to host the Euro-2012 football championship finals.

The presentation will also be attended by Polish President Lech Kaczynski, with whom Yushchenko will also hold talks.

On the morning of 18 April Yushchenko will give an exclusive interview to BBC Ukrainian Service, the agency said.

In Strasbourg, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych will address a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meet its president Rene van der Linden, Council of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis, PACE rapporteurs on Ukraine Hanne Severinsen and Renate Wohlwend, the agency said in a separate report released at 0540 gmt on 17 April.

Sources:

Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian 0532 gmt 17 Apr 07

Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian 0540 gmt 17 Apr 07

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